Vision Issue 2

Vision The creativity of brick

Issue 2

colophon Vision is a publication of: Wienerberger Ltd Editors Sarah Jackson Aparna Gondekar Heather Butler - Bell Pottinger North Caroline Kruit - CCK Media, Den Haag Photography Ruud Peijnenburg, ‘s Hertogenbosch Design SpringDesign, ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Editor’s Vision

Content Vitens office building, Arnhem Sculptural weaving

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Symphony double tower, Amsterdam Unity through diversity

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City Theatre, Haarlem Bricks in the spotlight

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Het Podium housing project, The Hague Fun wall art

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VITENS OFFICE BUILDING, ARNHEM

Sculptural weaving The Vitens office building is a landmark for the

thereby creating a ‘chess board’ pattern. ‘In a subsequent

IJsseloord industrial estate in Arnhem. This is

design phase we searched for a way to make the colour

why the architects at GroupA chose a very robust

difference more subtle, for example by using different

appearance, which is accentuated by the dark, brick-

textures. We fleshed out this idea, eventually choosing

work wall. The combination of bricks in the brick-

engobed, shiny black stock bricks and far more matt

work plays a fascinating game with the daylight and

handformatic bricks,’ he added.

is the result of an intensive design process.

Glisten Despite the fact that the master plan for the IJsseloord

Proving that one black brick can differ enormously from

industrial estate was stringent in its specification of yellow

another is demonstrated nicely by the brick duo used in

bricks for wall brickwork, the architects opted for two black

this project. The bricks with engobe play with the light in

variants. Joep Fessl of GroupA said: ‘The Vitens office buil-

such a way that their surfaces appear almost white when

ding was designated as a landmark and we were therefore

reflecting at a certain angle. The matt bricks seem to

permitted to deviate from the restrictions. We used this fact

absorb the light, which makes them a stable colour factor.

to create a robust sculpture of the building, a heavy object

It is precisely the variation in the bricks that makes a stroll

with a stone wall and felt this effect can best be accentua-

around the building a true spectacle.

ted with dark bricks.’

Fessl added: ‘We produced test pieces on site in order to test the bricks and the joints in the correct light. The

Pattern

search for the correct joints became very complex– at one

Nevertheless, the architects did not immediately decide to

point we were discussing the subtle variations in shade.

use black bricks. Fessl said: ‘To give the building abstract-

A joint that is too close in colour to the brick means that

ness, so that the form is expressed more clearly, we intro-

you see an evenly coloured area and no longer notice the

duced a wave. Areas of 180 by 540 mm filled with different

nuancing in the brickwork. An excessively light joint has a

bricks.’ In the first instance the architects had chosen a

negative effect on the pattern. The choice was made for

contrast between black bricks and a much lighter variant,

a joint that is a little lighter than the bricks.’ The eventual

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result still looks woven, despite the combination of two black bricks. Fessl: ‘It is precisely the interplay of the light with the wall pattern that makes this building special.’

Architectural office: Group A, Rotterdam Architect: Adam Visser & Joep Fessl Facing bricks: Wienerberger Beerse - Agora Graphit Black, handformatic Wienerberger Oosterhout - Fusion, extruded Details: - Interwoven surfaces - Brickwork fitted as clamps

BRICK & TECHNOLOGY Paterns in surfaces The brickwork of the Vitens project in Arnhem consists of two interwoven surfaces. The weave incorporates two types of brick, a random stock form and neat pressed brick. In this type of brickwork and brick combination it is important to devote extra attention to the work size.

Parts of the brickwork are fitted as clamps. This reveals the frog of the handformatic bricks. The following point is important here – 16 courses of the brick on edge panelling in the wall are detailed to correspond with 30 standard courses of horizontal brickwork. This requirement has consequences for the dimensions of the bricks.

An average joint of 10 mm and a brick thickness of 50 mm creates a height over 30 courses 1800 mm. Any variation

Attention was given to the effective slenderness of brick-

in individual brick dimensions can be accommodated in

work in the exposed frog orientation; the unit at 65mm

the mortar joint although a thickness of less than 8 mm

(thickness) met the particular construction requirements

was considered as inappropriate.

for the panel design.

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Symphony double tower, Amsterdam

Unity through diversity The architects firm Cie. designed the Symphony

they present two different densities when seen from the

double tower with a remarkable wall for the intersec-

Mahlerlaan. The plinth of the building is visible particularly

tion of the main streets in the Amsterdam business

when the observer is standing close to the block.

district, the Zuid-As. The double tower was inspired

The wall section also expresses a clear segmentation.

by the ring of canals in Amsterdam and contains

Inspired by the inner city canal houses, the wall was

elements which differ in scale and are combined into

clad with bricks and large windows. Architect Oresti

a single unit.

Sarafopoulos said: ‘The bricks in the brickwork at plinth level are the darkest. They have warm, earthy colours.

The 200,000 m Symphony double tower is located at the

The wall also has a strong relief pattern in that section, so

intersection of two spatial axes – the Mahlerlaan, which is

that a tactile skin is created that initiates a dialogue with

at a right angle to the Minervallaan. Similar to other mixed

passers-by. Further up, the skin becomes more abstract,

use developments in Amsterdam, where a multitude of

with caramel coloured bricks halfway up the towers. At

functions are often housed in a single block, Symphony

that level the bricks have a larger size and the surface relief

accommodates offices, houses, an art centre, shops and

is less articulated. The bricks at the top of the towers are

a car park. The public functions are housed in the plinth of

almost white and even shine, creating the impression that

the building while the offices and houses are located in two

the building dissolves into the air.’

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towers, both almost 100 metres high.

Combined into a single unit Colour and interaction

The differences in colour are forged together by an overall

The design produced by Cie. interacts with its surroun-

wall pattern. Minor nuances are possible within this texture.

dings in different ways depending on where it is viewed

For example, the window pattern of the office tower is simi-

from. Seen from the Minervalaan, both towers have the

lar to that on the residential towers. However, the windows

same profile. The residential tower is placed at a right angle

in the offices have a mesh width of 900 mm, while the

and has a long side that is equal to the short side of the

mesh width in the houses is 1800 mm.

office tower. This is why the towers look like a single object

Building at great height did involve a challenge. The wind

when viewed from the long axes of the Minervalaan, while

load in particular meant that there were more stringent

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demands for the wall elements. However, with prefab

Architectural office:

Free2Build panels it was also possible to build brick walls

de Architekten Cie., Amsterdam

at great height. The storey-high wall panels were lifted in ready-made, including glazing, on site and are indistinguis-

Architect:

hable from the traditionally built wall sections. This means

Pi de Bruijn, Oresti Sarafopoulos

that the skin of the building is seen as a constant interplay of lines, colours, texture and shape, similar to how the

Facing bricks:

parts of a good piece of music form a powerful symphony

Wienerberger - various colours, extruded

when combined.

Details: Free2Build - Prefabricated façade

BRICK & TECHNOLOGY Prefab brickwork elements The walls of the Symphony project in Amsterdam are

A unique suspension system offers the possibility to use

constructed with Free2Build wall elements – prefa-

complete bricks as an exterior finish. Almost all types of

bricated façades with a traditional structure of an

brick are applicable, including shaped bricks following

exterior brick façade, an air cavity and an interior

consultation, and a combination of different brick types is

concrete façade. They combine the advantages of

also possible.

prefab construction, alongside bricks in wall building.

Here, it is important to devote attention to the size and distribution of the bricks. The size of the joint may not dif-

Free2Build is extremely suitable for building and has all the

fer excessively. This is why it is important to consult with

advantages of prefab. There are improved working conditi-

Wienerberger regarding the application of different types

ons, greater building speeds and custom-made deliveries.

of brick in the Free2Build concept at an early stage in the

The use of a façade in Free2Build panels also offers clear

design process.

advantages. It prevents cold bridges and moisture penetration caused by the ventilating exterior facade.

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City Theatre, Haarlem

Bricks in the spotlight The 90–year-old city theatre in Haarlem is preparing for

Decorative strips

a second life, after an extensive renovation that took

The theatre in Haarlem is a building that – after the recent

more than two years. A detailed plan, with large-scale

revamp – can no longer be called modest. Radical chan-

changes and considerable expansion, was created by

ges were required to modernise the theatre. For example,

Erick at Egeraat associated architects and features a

the main entrance of the building was moved to the base-

special brick wall which was created for the new stage

ment and the furnishings in the interior were also thorou-

tower in collaboration with artist Babs Haenen.

ghly updated. The goal was to give the entire building more consistency and grandeur.

The city theatre in Haarlem is one of the five oldest theatres

A new stage tower, which was considerably larger than the

in the Netherlands and is recognisable as such – a robust

old one, was built to conceal the difference in volume, was

brick-built structure with modest wall ornamentation. The

clad with decorative ceramic elements that were speci-

original building by architect J.A.G. van der Steur has been

ally developed by artist Babs Haenen in collaboration with

a characteristic feature of the old city centre since the start

EEA. The tiling for the wall was placed in vertical strips of

of the last century and is a striking example of the brick

different lengths that run up to the top edge of the wall to

architecture from that time.

create a cascade effect. Several of these strips are fitted

However, at the start of this century it became apparent

with screen-printed glazing. The ceramics have blue-green

that it could not function in accordance with the current

and turquoise tints and become gradually lighter in colour

standards of theatre technology, production facilities and

as they near the top edge of the wall. This seems to make

accessibility. Moreover, different conversions had confused

the significant volume of the stage tower evaporate into

the spatial structure. This is why a multiple tender was crea-

the air.

ted for the renovation of the theatre. The tender was won by Erick van Egeraat associated architects (EEA) in Rotterdam.

Petrified patchwork quilt

After two years of renovation, the result is at the heart of

Various tiles are used in the project – flat tiles, rosettes and

the body of work created by Erick van Egeraat: ‘modern

tiles with a relief pattern that look like glazed, hardened

baroque’, as he calls it.

pieces of cloth. They create a shadowplay that makes the

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wall speak, it literally asks to be touched. Each tile is unique,

Architectural office:

having been crafted by hand by the artist Babs Haenen,

(EEA) Erick van Egeraat associated architects, Rotterdam

who also applied the pigment and the glaze to the clay by hand. She treats ceramics as a form of sculpture and devo-

Architect:

tes a great deal of attention to colour texture, shape and

Erick van Egeraat

tactile qualities. This ensures that the ceramics have a touchable and traditional look, rather than an industrial image.

Ceramist:

The wall tiles produced by Haenen reflect the ceramic tiles

Babs Haenen

produced by Leon Senf in the old section of the theatre, thereby creating a link with the existing building and the

Facing bricks:

latest extension. Elements of the old stage tower, such

Wienerberger Bemmel -

as windows, hard stone decorative elements and glazed

Mix: Rood hardgrauw, formbacked

bricks were used in the wall of the old tower in order to

Rood gevelgrauw, formbacked

enhance this link. All this makes the city theatre an even more recognisable building for Haarlem. A robust building

Details:

with a wall of decorative ceramics – the brickwork now

- Sloping masonry

forms a modest decor for the new leading actors.

- Special shaped bricks

BRICK & TECHNOLOGY BRICKWORK THAT LEANS BACKWARDS The stage tower of the city theatre in Haarlem was

The design for the brickwork of the new stage tower in

constructed with brickwork that leans backwards,

Haarlem also incorporates irregular angles. Special shaped

which faced an increased risk of water penetration.

bricks were produced for these angles in order to gua-

Extra attention for the brickwork detailing was the-

rantee the characteristic surface structure of the bricks at

refore required.

these specific angles.

For this type of sloping brickwork, a brick must first be used that does not absorb (excessive) rainwater - preferably a moderately absorbent masonry brick which can cope with initial water absorption. The increased water penetration also prompted attention to the strength of the joints in the brickwork. A minimum joint hardness of VH 35 with a smooth surface structure was the best choice for this.

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Het Podium housing project, The Hague

Fun wall art The Kristal development company is constructing

Perky contrast

the new Het Podium housing project on the Melis

The walls create a lively, frivolous contrast to the mono-

Stokelaan, to the south west of the Zuiderpark area

tone image of post-war architecture in The Hague South

of open space in The Hague. A medium-sized project

West, but they did require a great deal of thought in terms

in which new houses of various types and sizes are

of detailing. The challenge was in the processing of the dif-

under construction, has seen the brickwork assigned

ferent colours of brick: red, white, black and grey. In order

a special role

to be true to the design by Henri Jacobs as much as possible, the position and colour of each brick was decided

A total of 211 homes are accommodated in a separate block

in advance. The structure of the walls was then planned

and three U-shaped blocks. All three of the latter blocks

brick by brick.

have a raised communal walled garden. There is a large

After the preparation of different patterns, test set-ups

range of house types and building shapes. For example,

were constructed at the building site in order to choose

there are high-rise and low-rise residential blocks in which

the correct brick types. SeARCH then chose a grey, red,

the high-rise sections are designed as galleries, with tene-

white and black brick in consultation with Wienerberger.

ment flats on the edge of the plot, and low-rise, single family

The differences in standard size in these four brick types

terraced houses in the more closed parts of the plot. The

were compensated for by proportionately varying the

plinth of the building has space for shops and businesses.

width of the joints between the bricks and selecting two

The plot is intersected by the Zwaardvegersgaarde, a

dark colours of mortar. The joints were also deepened

street that is also known as ‘the tree lane’. This is where the

with an extended joint that gave the brickwork an extra

artist Henri Jacobs was inspired to create the exceptional

dimension.

brickwork facings at the gable ends of the long blocks, which he designed for the project on the invitation of the

Integration of art into the urban environment

SeARCH firm of architects. He devised patterns for the

It is not only the brickwork which is special in this housing

brick walls that are based on the planting plans of the apple

project. The balustrade fences that border the galleries

tree orchards that were once located in this area. The pat-

of the complex are also striking. They were designed by

terns were converted by SeARCH into completely detailed

Dutch Design House De Makers Van and produced by

masonry plans and detailed drawings.

craftsmen in India.

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With eye-catching elements, this project takes the lead in the integration of art into the urban environment. They make Het Podium a housing project that idiosyncratically sets the tone for the restructuring of Den Haag Zuidwest.

Architectural office: SeARCH, Amsterdam Artist: Henri Jacobs Facing bricks: Wienerberger - White, Grey, Red and Black, handformatic

BRICK & TECHNOLOGY Patterns in brickwork Brickwork patterns such as those in Het Podium

to support the architect and artist. These set-ups were

require harmonization between manufacturers and

used to make a first selection of the handformatic bricks.

designers, particularly if the pattern includes dif-

This also clarified whether the size differences between the

ferent types of brick. Brickwork patterns are based

chosen bricks would influence the brickwork pattern.

on aesthetic preferences. But facing bricks that form part of a brickwork pattern must match in terms of

The test walls prompted occasional adjustments to the

size and size distribution. That is a technical requi-

brickwork patterns. Test walls with normal dimensions

rement.

were built with the chosen bricks again at the building site.

The choice of bricks was then defined with four different

In order to harmonise all preconditions optimally, attention

handformatic bricks from two Wienerberger brick facto-

was devoted to the different types of brick that could be

ries. The thorough pre-preparation resulted in a unique

used to create the pattern in the Het Podium project at an

and extremely carefully constructed brickwork pattern with

early stage. Test walls of 2.1 x 2.3 metre were produced

technical durability.

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